Agenda item

To consider an update on the Local Fire Service from the Chief Fire Officer.

The Committee considered a report, set out in agenda pages 5 to 18, which provided an update on the local fire service.

Trevor Ferguson, Chief Fire Officer, gave a presentation to the Committee outlining various aspects of the fire service including their current workload, budget constraints and the 2019-2025 corporate plan.

Trevor stated that the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS) was responsible for a £33.479 million budget. He added that £4.96 million had been saved from the budget between 2010 and 2016. The Capital programme would be funded until 2021.

Trevor stated that much of the budget savings had been achieved through reduction of back office staff and by restructuring parts of the business. Trevor stressed that the frontline service delivery had been preserved and that the service was fully capable of responding to incidents.

Trevor explained that as a result of the Grenfell Fire incident, RBFRS fire safety inspector officers inspected 157 high rise premises and conducted 4700 face to face visits. He added that the service jointly inspected 74 buildings which were identified most at risk, and all Aluminium Composite Material (ACM) high rise buildings were identified.

Trevor explained that three tri-service stations were being developed, with one having already opened in 2017, and a further two being scheduled to open in 2020 and 2021. He added that seven new generation fire appliances had been delivered in 2017 and 2018, with a further 4 to be delivered in 2019 at an approximate cost of £200k each. 

Trevor outlined the potential pay pressure placed on the service, as the Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) was using a 2% benchmark for yearly pay increases but inflation was sitting closer to 3%. He added that phase 4 of the RBFRS ‘life after Grenfell’ plans may require additional funding. Trevor stated that, historically, the RBFRS had been a very prudent authority, and as a result sat in the bottom quartile of precept funding when compared to other authorities.

Andy Croy asked whether the majority of staff in the RBFRS had experienced net pay cuts as a result of Central Government austerity measures. Trevor stated that many staff had experienced a real term pay cut over recent years as a result of incremental pay rises being below the market level of inflation.

David Sleight asked for clarification to the definition of a high rise building, and what was the best prevention method for stopping catastrophes such as the Grenfell incident. Trevor stated that the definition of a high rise building was 18m tall. He added that the most efficient method of preventing such incidents were a combination of fire protection staff, building control management and fire safety precautions within the buildings.

Clive Jones asked whether the fire service was consulted adequately regarding new developments. Trevor stated that engagement was crucial in allowing the fire service to address issues as they arose. He added that he could only think of a couple of examples of developments which had ignored guidelines, and that the greater issue was where buildings were being interacted with differently than intended. Guy Grandison followed on by asking how best to contact the planning inspectorate about these issues. Trevor stated that it was a difficult process but interaction and engagement was key.

Clive Jones asked whether there were any issues with recruitment and retention within the RBFRS. Trevor stated that there were no issues with full time firefighters, however the attitude towards life long careers within the service was beginning to show signs of waning. He added that retained firefighters were far more difficult to recruit and retain, as many of the prospective applicants would have little spare time or long commutes in to their main job.

Malcolm Richards asked about the lifespan of specialist firefighting appliances. Trevor confirmed that specialist pumping equipment would last for approximately 10 to 12 years, and that specialist high rise equipment would last for approximately 20 years. He confirmed that these items were purchased out of the Capital budget.

Bill Soane asked for Trevor Ferguson’s opinion on sprinklers in schools, businesses and residential properties. Trevor responded to say that he would personally recommend sprinklers to be fitted in all properties as they provide excellent fire prevention benefits. However, Trevor added that the cost associated with sprinkler installation was substantial for the individual or business and that this was the primary reason that many properties did not have sprinklers installed. Trevor reiterated that the service sees sprinkler systems as an excellent investment.

Andy Croy queried the reduction in the number of firefighters in each core unit. Trevor stated that operational management has to consider the risk profile of a specific area and that they believe that a model of 4 firefighters per engine with more units as a backup was the best balance of safety to the firefighters and capability to deal with incidents.

Andy Croy asked as to why the retained support unit had been disbanded. Trevor stated that it was decided that the unit was deemed inefficient, and that full time cover had been spread to a greater area. He added that there was no fix for the retained staffing model, but stated that retained staff provided a greater depth of resilience within the service.

Guy Grandison asked about the percentage of retained units within the RBFRS. In response Jim Powell, RBFRS Service Group Manager, stated that 7 out of 21 (1/3) of the units had retained staff.

Andy Croy asked what reduction in funding the service had seen since 2010. Trevor stated that he did not have those figures to hand but that the information would be given to Democratic Services to feed back to the Committee.

Guy Grandison stated that one of the roles of the Committee was to build and develop relationships with the Borough’s services and offer a helping hand where possible. He extended this invitation to the fire service. In response, Trevor Ferguson stated that a motion on sprinklers would be coming to Council soon and encouraged Members to get involved in the discussion. He added that any help that Members could provide in persuading local MP’s to lobby for an increase in the service’s precept funding would be welcomed, adding that the extra flexibility that this could provide for the service would be very helpful.

RESOLVED: That:

1.    Trevor Ferguson and Jim Powell be thanked for attending the meeting;

2.    figures detailing the Service’s funding levels since 2010 be circulated to Committee Members;

3.    Members be encouraged to continue to provide support for the RBFRS both locally and to the local MP’s;

4.    the fire service be invited to present an update to the Committee in 12 months’ time.